Police issue red card drink drive warning during Euros

Petra Silfverskiold

Footy fans have been urged to stick to soft drinks if they plan to get behind the wheel during the Euro tournament

Officers are urging drivers not to get in their vehicles the morning after a night’s drinking, ahead of the kick-off of the European Championships today.

If you are foolish enough to break the law, you will find yourself being given the red card by the police and the courts

Inspector Phil Grieve

With England’s first game taking place on Saturday evening, road policing teams – covering Cleveland and Durham – are supporting a national campaign, highlighting the dangers of being over the limit.

Officers from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU) will be concentrating their resources on detecting drink and drug-driving offences in support of the national awareness-raising initiative.

A number of high visibility, mass roadside screenings will be carried out by officers in both areas, supported by local policing teams and members of the Special Constabulary.

It is hoped the move will help deter anyone from driving while their judgment is impaired, through alcohol or drugs; to educate drivers about the dangers of still being over the limit the morning after; to reduce the number of collisions on the roads and to prosecute anyone found to be unfit to drive.

As well as conducting breathalyser tests on anyone thought to be over the drink-drive limit, they will also use roadside ‘drugwipe’ kits, which indicate whether a person under the influence of certain drugs – including cannabis and cocaine.

CDSOU Inspector Phil Grieve said: “The summer months often see more social events take place, such as barbeques where alcohol is being consumed.

“More people are also inclined to go out in the car to the pub, or for a meal.

“And when you have a big sporting event such as a major football tournament, there is an obvious risk people may have a large amount to drink, especially if they are in the company of others, and then still be unsafe to drive the next day.

“We want drivers to remember that alcohol stays in the blood for many hours after your last drink. And illegal drugs, such as cannabis or cocaine can remain even longer, seriously affecting your ability to drive safely.

“If you are foolish enough to break the law, you will find yourself being given the red card by the police and the courts.”

Last year’s four-week summer campaign across Cleveland and Durham saw 94 drivers arrested after a positive breath test, a refusal or failure to provide a sample, or on suspicion of being unfit to drive through drink or drugs.

With England’s first game taking place on Saturday evening, road policing teams – covering Cleveland and Durham – are supporting a national campaign, highlighting the dangers of being over the limit.

Officers from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU) will be concentrating their resources on detecting A number of high visibility, mass roadside screenings will be carried out by officers in both areas, supported by local policing teams and members of the

It is hoped the move will help deter anyone from driving while their judgment is impaired, through alcohol or drugs; to educate drivers about the dangers of still being over the limit the morning after; to reduce the number of collisions on the roads and to prosecute anyone found to be unfit to drive.

As well as conducting breathalyser tests on anyone thought to be over the drink-drive limit, they will also use roadside ‘drugwipe’ kits, which indicate whether a person under the influence of certain drugs – including cannabis and cocaine.

CDSOU Inspector Phil Grieve said: “The summer months often see more social events take place, such as barbeques where alcohol is being consumed.

“More people are also inclined to go out in the car to the pub, or for a meal.

“And when you have a big sporting event such as a major football tournament, there is an obvious risk people may have a large amount to drink, especially if they are in the company of others, and then still be unsafe to drive the next day.

“We want drivers to remember that alcohol stays in the blood for many hours after your last drink. And illegal drugs, such as cannabis or cocaine can remain even longer, seriously affecting your ability to drive safely.

“If you are foolish enough to break the law, you will find yourself being given the red card by the police and the courts.”

Last year’s four-week summer campaign across Cleveland and Durham saw 94 drivers arrested after a positive breath test, a refusal or failure to provide a sample, or on suspicion of being unfit to drive through drink or drugs.